Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
UK sets out plans to use AI to strengthen cyber security
The UK government announced new plans to guard against AI-related cyber threats at an event in London.
AI minister Kanishka Narayan said officials would use advanced AI models to find weaknesses in government systems before attackers can exploit them.
Government cyber teams have already used frontier AI to find more than 400 software flaws in public-sector systems, which were later fixed.
Three departments and agencies will develop ways to contain incidents involving autonomous AI, while security minister Dan Jarvis will lead a wider cross-government effort to improve cyber defenses.
The government also plans changes to its Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, including requirements to report serious incidents and near misses.
The AI Security Institute has resumed testing frontier models, including Gemini 4 Argon, after access to such models by testing bodies outside the US had previously been blocked by the Trump administration.
A National Cyber Action Plan is due soon, although details of several initiatives are still being worked out.
The UK government has announced plans to use frontier AI to find vulnerabilities in government systems and strengthen cyber defenses.
AI minister Kanishka Narayan set out the plans at Imperial College London on October 12.
The government also plans to develop responses to incidents involving agentic AI and amend the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
A government cyber service has reduced the time to fix identified weaknesses from 50 days to eight, Narayan said.
The AI Security Institute has resumed testing frontier models, including Gemini 4 Argon.
- Who
- The UK government, including AI minister Kanishka Narayan and security minister Dan Jarvis.
- What
- It announced plans to use AI to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen cyber defenses and respond to AI incidents.
- When
- Narayan announced the plans on October 12. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Imperial College London.
- Why
- To find weaknesses before attackers exploit them, protect essential government systems and respond to emerging threats.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Government Cyber Coordination Centre hackathons used frontier AI to identify more than 400 software flaws in public sector IT, which were subsequently patched.
Narayan announced the UK government's plans at Imperial College London.
Narayan said the National Cyber Action Plan would be published soon.
- Software flaws found
- More than 400 in public sector IT during Government Cyber Coordination Centre hackathons
- Time to fix weaknesses
- Reduced from 50 days to eight, according to Narayan
- AI model testing
- The AI Security Institute resumed testing frontier models, including Gemini 4 Argon
- Planned bill
- Amendments to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
- Announcement venue
- Imperial College London
What people are saying
Our central vulnerability-monitoring service has already helped reduce the time taken to fix identified weaknesses from 50 days to just eight. Built on these advances, I want us to go further,
I am announcing that the DCMS cyber minister, the security minister and I will lead the urgent use of frontier AI capabilities to find weaknesses within government systems before attackers exploit them, protect essential government systems, and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
Everyone wants a 'big red button' to turn off rogue AI agents.
Defense must enable progress, not cause paralysis. Building national resilience isn't about imposing heavy-handed regulation that stifles UK competitiveness,
Sources
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